14:40 Haydock

Saturday 22 December 2018

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:0514:4015:15

Smarkets Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 6m 5.20s

Testify²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 142| C| D

6/1

Good novice last season when he won twice at this venue. Belated reappearance when well held at Newcastle, but can be expected to be sharper and is down 3lb.

Form: 1110P-6

Rocklander²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 140

11/1

Boasted some very useful form in his novice season, but has not been able to match it this time round. Handles deep ground and is down 5lb after his last two runs.

Form: 13F-P54

Splash of Ginge³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 139| CD

12/1

Course winner and mud lover who found the going too lively when pulled up at Cheltenham last time. Down 2lb and underfoot conditions should be much more suitable.

Form: 7P82-5P

Duel At Dawn²⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 139| D

8/1

Ran some fine races against high-profile performers last season, but was pulled up over 4m at the Cheltenham Festival. Quite a big ask on his seasonal reappearance, but he has to be considered.

Form: 1/2122P-

Daklondike^v1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 139

6/1

Three wins from seven starts over fences, but has been pulled up on his last two starts, latterly on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham. Handles plenty of give and is tried in a visor.

Form: 1411P-P

Houblon Des Obeaux¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 138| C| D

14/1

Not as good as he was, but signs that the fire still burns and he will be well suited by conditions. Needs to step up on reappearance run at Chepstow, however.

Form: 3P3F9-6

Kimberlite Candy³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: T Lacey| OR: 138

4/1

Returning from a break when scoring in good fashion on similar going at Ayr. Progressive and 5lb rise is fair so he looks a serious contender.

Form: 1P431-1

Sharp Response²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 135

8/1

Had Testify well behind when finishing fourth at Newcastle last time. Looks high enough in the weights and may prefer a sounder surface.

Form: 21-4184

Whoshotwho^h³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 134

16/1

Already a better chaser than hurdler, but came a cropper at the first in a valuable contest at Cheltenham on latest outing. Won his two previous starts in the summer and might find conditions too testing.

Form: 2-3211F

Clan Legend³⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 132| C

10/1

Good sort who has won three of his eight races over fences. Course winner who handles heavy ground, but has his first run since February.

Form: 4/1412U-

Ballyarthur⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

10/1

Stable companion of Splash Of Ginge who was in good form in the spring, but whose efforts this season have been underwhelming. Bit to prove, but likes cut in the ground.

Form: 311-5P6

Non-Runners

Valadom⁸

Weight: 10-9| Age: 9

T: R Hobson J: James Best

Forecasts

Kimberlite Candy (4/1), Daklondike (6/1), Testify (6/1), Sharp Response (8/1), Duel At Dawn (8/1), Ballyarthur (10/1), Clan Legend (10/1), Rocklander (11/1), Splash of Ginge (12/1), Houblon Des Obeaux (14/1), Whoshotwho (16/1), Valadom (20/1)

A wide-open renewal of this valuable race and it is no surprise to see Kimberlite Candy so prominent in the ante-post markets. He has solid credentials, but a slog in the mud over this trip often goes to one of the longer-priced contenders and one who fits the bill is SPLASH OF GINGE, who is hit and miss but loves heavy ground and is more than capable on his day as he showed when second at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Testify likes this track and should progress for his reappearance run, while the veteran Houblon Des Obeaux and the visored Daklondike are others who can figure at an each-way price.